The drive from Norfolk, VA to Altavista, VA covers 205.6 miles and takes about 4h 44m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 460, New Cox Road, West Colonial Trail Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.8 miles on US 460.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.15 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.8 miles from Norfolk, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 205.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Norfolk, VA to Altavista, VA covers 205.6 miles and takes about 4h 44m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 460 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 205.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
7.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, Richmond
8
8.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13A-B
Toward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suff...
8
20.4 mi into trip|~29m in|US 460
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton...
7
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackstone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, Blackst...
8
82.5 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 460
Take the exit onto US 460 toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 61
Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, Lynchburg
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Norfolk, VA and Altavista, VA, road signs point toward Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.
Albert G Horton Junior Memorial
20.4 mi in|~29m|via US 460
Veterans Cemetery
20.4 mi in|~29m|via US 460
Blackstone
75.9 mi in|~1h 52m|via US 460
Lynchburg
82.5 mi in|~2h 1m|via US 460
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 460
79.8 mi
1h 51m
New Cox Road
23 mi
26m
West Colonial Trail Highway
13.1 mi
16m
Richmond Highway
10.8 mi
12m
Village Highway
10.4 mi
19m
Wards Road
9.1 mi
11m
Portsmouth Boulevard
8.2 mi
10m
East Colonial Trail
7.5 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 460
— 79.8 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk, VA and Altavista, VA.
1
Start on East City Hall Avenue
122 ft·2 sec·East City Hall Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 460 West, I 264 Toll West, I 464: Portsmouth
3
Merge onto I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
7.4 mi·11 min·I 264; US 460 ALT; VA 337
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·47 sec
Toward I 664: Bowers Hill, Suffolk, RichmondUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 664
0.4 mi·31 sec·Hampton Roads Beltway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Exit 13A-BToward US 13, US 58, US 460, VA 191 North: Suffolk, Military HighwayUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
8
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
2.4 mi·3 min·West Military Highway
9
Continue on US 13; US 58; US 460
8.2 mi·10 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 460
Toward US 460: PetersburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
50 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 460
Toward US 460 West: Petersburg, Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans CemeteryUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto SR 630
1.9 mi·3 min·Rives Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 95 North
14
Merge onto I 95
3.7 mi·4 min·I 95
15
Take the exit onto US 460
0.6 mi·1 min·US 460
Toward I 85 South, US 460 West: Durham, BlackstoneUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 85; US 460
6.0 mi·7 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
17
Take the exit onto US 460
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 460
Exit 61Toward US 460 West: Blackstone, LynchburgUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on US 460
1.1 mi·1 min·Airport Street
19
Continue on US 460
23 mi·26 min·New Cox Road
20
Continue on US 460
4.3 mi·5 min·East Colonial Trail Highway
21
Continue on US 460
6.9 mi·7 min·East Colonial Trail Road
22
Continue on US 460
7.5 mi·11 min·East Colonial Trail
23
Merge onto US 360; US 460
1.5 mi·2 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
12 mi·14 min·West Colonial Trail Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 460
29 mi·34 min·US 460
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 460
11 mi·12 min·Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 West: Lynchburg
27
Turn left onto VA 24
1.2 mi·2 min·Village Highway
28
Enter roundabout onto VA 24
112 ft·2 sec·Village Highway
29
Continue on VA 24
9.2 mi·17 min·Village Highway
30
Take the exit onto VA 24
4.3 mi·7 min·VA 24
31
Turn left onto US 29
9.1 mi·11 min·Wards Road
32
Take the exit onto US 29 BUS
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 29 BUS
Toward US 29 Business South
33
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
2.0 mi·3 min·Main Street
34
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·7th Street
35
Turn left onto Franklin Avenue
364 ft·17 sec·Franklin Avenue
36
Turn left onto US 29 BUS
30 ft·1 sec·Main Street
37
Arrive at destination
US 29 BUS
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.8 miles from Norfolk, VA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 45 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altavista, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norfolk, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norfolk, VA
This is one driving day of about 205.6 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Norfolk, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 460 for about 79.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.8 mi from Norfolk, VA
· 2h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 102.8 miles from Norfolk, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 460 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.8 miles.
Arriving in Altavista, VA
The final approach into Altavista, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Altavista, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 170.2
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 205.6
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$15
near mile 42.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.15 one way
$64.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.15
$70.31
premium
$4.70
$38.05
$76.10
diesel
$5.61
$45.39
$90.79
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(6 mi)$0.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.59
$9.87
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.99
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.78
$13.16
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Norfolk, VA
Morning
in Norfolk on Saturday
Local time
8:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Altavista, VA
Morning
in Altavista on Saturday
Local time
8:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 44m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Norfolk, VA to Altavista, VA covers 205.6 miles and takes about 4h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 460, New Cox Road, West Colonial Trail Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.8 miles from Norfolk, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.15 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 205.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.4 miles (US 460): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Norfolk, VA and Altavista, VA, road signs point toward Albert G Horton Junior Memorial, Veterans Cemetery, Blackstone and Lynchburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg National Battlefield and Fort Monroe National Monument. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
